NGX turnover hits N176bn as sell-offs pull market cap down by N1.889trn
By Aboki Forex —
The Nigerian equities market closed the week on a bearish note, with the NGX All-Share Index falling 1.14% week-on-week to 242,770.94 points. Market capitalisation dropped N1.889 trillion to N156.624 trillion as investors sold major stocks, including BUA Foods and MTN Nigeria.
Investors traded 12.153 billion shares worth N176.058 billion in 224,146 deals, significantly higher than the previous week's turnover. The market traded negatively for most of the week, with four of the five trading sessions recording losses.
Bearish sentiment spreads
Market breadth remained negative, with 59 stocks declining against 26 gainers. Selling pressure on BUA Foods, MTN Nigeria Communications and HBM Nigeria was among the major factors behind the weak performance. The market's year-to-date return moderated to 56.01% following the decline.
Financial services led activity, with 11.212 billion shares worth N88.991 billion traded, accounting for 92.25% of total volume. ICT followed with 246.127 million shares worth N51.605 billion, while services recorded 198.195 million shares worth N1.995 billion.
The top three stocks accounted for 9.488 billion shares worth N36.219 billion, representing 78.07% of total turnover.
Top gainers and losers
Trans-Nationwide Express Plc rose from N2.15 to N2.84, gaining N0.69 or 32.09%. International Energy Insurance Plc moved from N4.04 to N5.32, adding N1.28 or 31.68%. Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc gained N0.23 or 13.77% to close at N1.90. Chams Holding Company Plc rose by N0.50 or 12.25% to N4.58. CWG Plc appreciated by N1.90 or 9.74% to N21.40. Airtel Africa Plc gained N498.60 or 8.59% to N6,300.00. Guinea Insurance Plc rose by N0.06 or 8.11% to N0.80. VFD Group Plc added N0.90 or 7.83% to N12.40. Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc gained N10.20 or 7.29% to N150.20. Cadbury Nigeria Plc rose by N3.90 or 6.71% to N62.00.
On the losing side, AVA Capital Plc fell from N11.00 to N7.20, losing N3.80 or 34.55%. Unilever Nigeria Plc dropped N27.65 or 18.94% to N118.30. Zichis Agro Allied Industries Plc declined by N3.25 or 15.08% to N18.30. Thomas Wyatt Nigeria Plc lost N0.46 or 14.33% to N2.75. Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc shed N8.45 or 11.58% to N64.55. NPF Microfinance Bank Plc fell by N0.50 or 10.99% to N4.05. Austin Laz & Company Plc declined by N0.34 or 10.69% to N2.84. Cornerstone Insurance Plc lost N0.60 or 10.62% to N5.05. BUA Foods Plc dropped N84.50 or 10.00% to N760.60. John Holt Plc fell by N1.00 or 9.90% to N9.10.
Dangote refinery moves toward listing
Separately, Dangote Petroleum Refinery has filed a formal application with Nigeria's Securities and Exchange Commission to begin the regulatory process for an initial public offering. SEC Director-General Emomotimi Agama confirmed the development, saying the refinery's advisers are already working with company officials and the regulator to move the application forward. He added that the commission does not foresee any delays that could disrupt the planned share sale.
For the naira and Nigerian businesses, the sustained sell-off in major stocks points to profit-taking and cautious positioning ahead of key economic data. The turnover jump shows liquidity remains available, but investor sentiment is tilted toward defensive plays.